[8:10 PM] Thunder @ 76ers

What will be the GAME RESULT?

Thunder: Win By Double Digits

@ 76ers: Win or Single Digit Loss

 

Current odds:

Oklahoma City Thunder (-9.5): (TBD)

Philadelphia 76ers (+9.5): (TBD)

 

• ESPN simulations have Oklahoma City as XX% favorites to cover the spread.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on Oklahoma City to win as (TBD) underdogs.

• The line for this game is Oklahoma City by 9.5 points.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder are now officially Russell Westbrook’s team after franchise icon Kevin Durant departed as a free agent to join the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook and the Thunder move forward from the Durant era when they open the season against the host Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

• Oklahoma City nearly reached the NBA Finals last season but blew a 3-1 lead against the Warriors and now appears to be a long shot to make a similar run without Durant. Westbrook often did it all even with Durant on the roster and now he will be asked to do even more with offseason acquisition Victor Oladipo (16.0 average with Orlando last season) considered the second-best offensive player on the roster. Post players Enes Kanter (12.7 points, 8.1 rebounds) and Steven Adams (8.0 points, 6.7 rebounds) have opportunities to increase their production while the Thunder parted ways with troubled forward Mitch McGary on Monday.

• Simmons isn’t the only promising frontcourt player ailing as Nerlens Noel (11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds) underwent surgery on his left knee and will miss 3-to-5 weeks while Jahlil Okafor (17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds) is rounding into form after March surgery on his right knee. One bright spot is that center Joel Embiid is healthy and played well in the preseason after missing his first two seasons due to a foot injury, but the logjam has already left a sour taste in the mouth of Noel.

• The Thunder won last season’s two meetings by an average of 15.5 points and won 14 straight against the 76ers.

• Philadelphia G Jerryd Bayless (wrist) will miss the first month of the season.

• Backup Oklahoma City PG Cameron Payne (foot) won’t be healthy until sometime in December.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Thunder: Win By Double Digits

Confidence: 5/10

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